Marlow Regatta 2009: On the 20th and 21st of June 2009 ICBC’s men’s squadron competed at Marlow Regatta with guns blazing. Officer Bellion was at the scene…

Marlow Regatta is the last chance for crews to race before Henley Royal Regatta in two weeks time and takes place at Dorney lake; the very same venue where IC 1st 8 claimed a magnificent victory just three weeks earlier. Since then coach Steve Trapmore has decided that boys should become men and the 8+ was entered in a higher status category placing IC in direct competition with the best club and university crews in the country.

IC (Bellion, Gilles, Seward, Yerrell, Carrington, Goodier, Arnott, Brown and Fieldman) finished in third place in the heat behind London rowing club in 1st having been narrowly edged out of second by Durham University (who trailed IC for most of the race). This was good enough to secure a place in the next round and coach Stuart Whitelaw was confident that with a few minor changes the crew should make the final – “Er, you just need to pull harder”. However after a poor second 500m IC were found trailing the field, and even after a spirited sprint for the line missed out on the final by 5 seconds recording a time of 5:58.4.

However such is the strength of the IC squad that if one part is misfiring, another is bound to be succeeding and the 4+ of Bell, Winchester, Palmer, Gordon and Richards did just that. They won their heat of IM1 4+ in style beating not only crews from the UK but also America and claiming the scalp of none other than Ole Tietz’s former pairs partner, Ellies “The” Hammer. Shortly afterwards Will Todd was spotted rejoicing in the justice that had finally been served on the man that had stolen the love of his life. In the semi-final IC left it to the last 500m before fully turning on the “IC chunk” and rowed through their crumbling opposition to finish second. And so to the final where IC found themselves in third place with 500m remaining, a length down on the crew ahead. Again the crew dug in and produced a brilliant sprint to move past Southampton University taking second place.

The IC second eight race in IM3 (a very congested event) narrowly missed out on progressing to the later stages. The majority of this boat was made up of the IC novice squad and although they perhaps did not perform to the high standards expected, it is testament to the novice program that complete beginners at the start of the year are able to hold their own against established athletes from across the country.

However, perhaps the highlight of the regatta came from IC’s Dom Meyrick-Cole, or as he shall now be know: Ron Meyrick-Coleman, after managing to snap a blade while rowing. “It’s a shame that they haven’t yet made equipment that can stand up to the brute strength of my pythons” he commented after the incident. Unfortunately the crew of Davey, Dick, Meyrick-Cole and Wedlake failed to progress to the final. After the race stroke-man John Davey was not disheartened – “Ya ya ya, I’m SO KEEN to do better tomorrow.”

Other IC rowers in action included Will Todd rowing in a composite pair with York City (apparently they won Henley together in 2007) who after a good start encountered technical problems and failed to make the final and Ben Anstiss racing in senior singles. It has recently transpired that Will Todd is now ranked in the top 10 pairs in the world along with his former pairs partner and lover Ole Tietz who have both pre-qualified for Henley. A historic showdown could be on the cards.

Racing also took place on Sunday in the form of a 1000m sprint regatta. IC 1st 8 couldn’t make it due to exams however the 4+ recorded another second place and John Davey’s determination showed through as the 4- came second too. Crews are now totally focused on Henley Royal Regatta which is only a week away and in the words of Ron Meyrick-Coleman: “Everybody wanna win Henley, but nobody wanna do these heavy ass lunges”. A whole years training will come down to a few days racing and with thousands of kilometres, kilograms and the odd Pilates session under their belt, IC are ready. Greatness awaits the Brave…

Danny Bellion